Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global SDGs to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. My work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
1. Anaerobic Digestion: Phase separated anaerobic digestion of phytomass/ organic wastes to be utilized as feed supplement in biogas digesters.Solid-feed anaerobic digestion for utilizing organic waste that deal with >20% total solids (high solids) content.Wastewater treatment using UASB, anaerobic filter & other novel bioreactors.
2. Nano (eco) toxicology: To design systematic studies on how particle size, physico-chemical parameters and functionalization of nanoparticles affect toxicity. Validation of the testing methods/ guidelines to evaluate the toxicity of nanoparticles. To study the metabonomics/ metabolomics of nanoparticle toxicity. To study the genotoxic responses caused by the toxicity of nanoparticles.
3. Composting: Developing back-of-the-house composting systems, taking into consideration volume, geometry, and ‘feasible limits’ to which composting can be scaled down. Application of wireless sensor network system to monitor process temperature during composting.
4. Vermicomposting: Simplification of the geometry and design of vermireactors by doing away with the conventionally used elaborate vermibed. High rate vermicomposting by increasing the density of earthworms in the reactors.
5. PHA production: Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) production from organic waste using open mixed cultures in sequencing batch reactor systems. Optimization of fermentation conditions to produce a controlled product spectrum. Acquisition of data under dynamic conditions in order to validate previously developed model(s) that describes the fermentative capacity of municipal sludge. Demonstration of the capacity of acidogenetic effluent to produce PHAs.
6. Termigradation: Employment of termites for rapid disposal of biowaste, especially the type which resists conventional biological treatment methods. To study the termite gut microflora for possible application in bioreactors treating lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose based biowaste.
7. Solid Waste Management: Institutional Solid Waste Management System: Characterization, existing methods of management and possible methods of resource recovery, treatment and disposal of solid waste from educational institutes. Application of hybrid algorithm-based computer solution to address the problem of routing aspects of solid waste collection and transport networks.
Graphical Abstracts of Key Research Undertaken:
Dual role of grass clippings as buffering agent and biomass during anaerobic co-digestion with food waste:
A comprehensive investigation of toxicity and pollution potential of municipal solid waste landfill leachate:
A comprehensive review on integrative approach for sustainable management of plastic waste and its associated externalities:
Two-phase anaerobic digestion of food waste: Effect of semi-continuous feeding on acidogenesis and methane production:
Interactions between microplastics and unit processes of wastewater treatment plants:
Insight into microbial community diversity and composition of two-stage anaerobic digestion: Focusing methanogenic stage: